ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. — Escambia County commissioners are drafting an ordinance that will make camping on public property illegal. This comes after the state passed a law banning sleeping or camping in public spaces, including sidewalks, parks and beaches.

The city of Pensacola also passed a similar ordinance last week, and critics feared it would simply send the homeless problem to the county. County Commissioner Mike Kohler said the ordinance is an extra layer of protection for the county should lawsuits arise.

Escambia County is poised to become the next municipality to fall under a new state law banning people from sleeping or camping in public. Kohler said Escambia County will vote on a county ordinance in December.

“We basically put something out that will be voted on Dec. 12 basically saying you can’t camp on public property,” Kohler said.

Pensacola’s new ordinance first gives offenders a warning, followed by a $50-a-day fine if they refuse to leave.

If a person continues to defy the order, they could be arrested and jailed for up to 20 days.

“We want to be aligned so we don’t get sued,” Kohler said. “We want to enforce the law that the state legislature, not us, made. But we’re also following it so the county doesn’t get sued for anything inappropriate. Our goal is not to hurt anyone, it’s let’s follow the law and help people, but in this legislation, if they don’t move, the sheriff could arrest them.

Commissioner Lumon May says the county and city need to be on the same page. He says arresting the homeless won’t solve the problem and will put additional stress on a jail that’s already at capacity.

“I don’t think any judge, elected commissioner, sheriff or law enforcement officer wants to flood our jails with homeless people,” May said. “I think we need to be able to redirect. We need to deal with mental health. We need to deal with drug addiction, alcohol addiction in trying to redirect people. Helping them understand the importance of a quality life. So we’re always going to have a segment of the population that’s going to have a harder time getting them to understand the importance of not being homeless. We can’t give up on them.”

Homeless advocate Michael Kimbrel criticizes the new laws. He said they will only make the homeless problem worse.

“I find it despicable. I hope they go back and watch that meeting,” said Kimbrel, director of the Washburn Center. “There were numerous non-profits that stood up and said we’re not ready for this. So many people who are being displaced from public lands are not up to the task. Not enough shelter beds, not enough mental health. counseling”.

Both Kohler and May say they want to help people who want help. They told WEAR News they are discussing building a low-barrier shelter, which is in line with what state law recommends.

“I think we have to put it in the right location, with the right program and with the right partners,” May said. “I don’t think the government can do this alone. It takes faith, it takes government, it takes our civic organizations, and it takes our homeless advocates to all come together.”

Low-barrier shelter would allow people to stay there without income or sobriety requirements. It would be open 24/7.

There is no word on when this idea will be put on the agenda.